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Soul

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  1. Soul
    Since the underlying management would presumably stay the same (at least momentarily), I don't think the start of a season would have much bearing on it. Someone go ahead and correct me if I'm wrong. I mean obviously it would be nice to be able to start with a clean slate for your first season, but MLB ownerships are incredibly scarce. If you get the chance to buy in, I don't think you are going to nix a deal just because it doesn't fall in-between seasons.
  2. Soul
    Fred, Cedeno's #'s post ASB please? :D .233/.262/.342/.604 07/14 - 09/20 AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS Cedeno 193 19 45 7 1 4 66 17 6 46 0.233 0.262 0.342 0.604 Someone told me last year..... "He couldn't possibly do worse than Neifi." Insanity. Here's one for your DB to crunch on: what players have had OBPs as low as Cedeno's and then come back to post, say, .350 or better?
  3. Soul
    Baseball and basketball are so different though. Even a winning Pittsburgh doesn't bring in the revenue that a losing Cubs does. The market is just different. The A's win all the time, but they still have to have a smaller payroll than say San Francisco or LA. Basketball has a salary cap, and that help make all the team compete on the same level. You don't hear a lot of about market disparities in the NBA, because it's just not the same issue. Some of that also has to do with basketball being an indoor game, and playing half as many games as baseball does. I simply don't think Cuban is going to view the Cubs and Pirates as having the same long term potential. You might be right. I'd take Cuban in a heartbeat. Dramatic change is exactly what the Cubs need, and switching to Cuban would be a very, very dramatic change. That's if the other owners would want to deal with Cuban. He isn't exactly liked in the NBA and baseball is much more conservative. Stipulation: Mark will stay in his luxury box, where he may yell, shout, scream to his heart's content. Deal done. 8)
  4. Soul
    Bruce, put me down as willing to accept somewhat less likable people in the front office if it means winning a World Series. I can't speak for anyone else. I, too, like Andy as a person but I've been a fan of this ballclub for almost 4 decades and would like to see what only my Great Grandfather witnessed: a Cubs World Series.
  5. Soul
    They also may be protected by the Shield Law. I'll be interested to see what the 9th Circuit has to say. It was a federal grand jury. There is no federal shield law. I believe it is being appealed though. I, too, will be interested to see what happens the next rung up.
  6. Soul
    Seriously, every single one of his suggestions were completely superficial and non-baseball related. 6 were strictly fan related. Not only did he fail to mention anything specifically baseball related (ie, fire Dusty), he couldn't even list a general baseball comment (get better pitchers). And to top it off, it wasn't even funny. Pitchers? Bah...that's so trivial. But that Zambrano billboard behind home plate is critical to the future success of the Cubs. It takes real guts to attempt to argue that flying the "L" flag is a reason for Cub failure. Amazing. I think Sully must have written this article on his napkin at dinner the night before.
  7. Soul
    Baseball and basketball are so different though. Even a winning Pittsburgh doesn't bring in the revenue that a losing Cubs does. The market is just different. The A's win all the time, but they still have to have a smaller payroll than say San Francisco or LA. Basketball has a salary cap, and that help make all the team compete on the same level. You don't hear a lot of about market disparities in the NBA, because it's just not the same issue. Some of that also has to do with basketball being an indoor game, and playing half as many games as baseball does. I simply don't think Cuban is going to view the Cubs and Pirates as having the same long term potential. You might be right. I'd take Cuban in a heartbeat. Dramatic change is exactly what the Cubs need, and switching to Cuban would be a very, very dramatic change.
  8. Soul
    Excellent article. I can't emphasize this enough. Has there ever been a club who produces less position talent in their minor league system? We're talking Mark Grace here. How can this go unpunished for so long? Here's all you really need to know about MacF.A.I.L (and, indeed, the entire Cub franchise over the past 10 years) He's a bozo. We should have dumped him years & years ago. But then again, the Trib doesn't care about baseball, only profits and Andy has presided over an era of big profits for the team.
  9. Soul
    But the revenue would be SO much more for the Cubs. Cuban's all about winning. I think he can see that Chicago's major market would afford a better opportunity for that in the long run. Perhaps. I think the Mavs were basically thought of on the same terms as the Pirates are right now before Cuban bought them, though. It's just a matter of whether he wants to go through it all again, but this time in the withering spotlight of Chicago sports, which let's face it, is much much more intense than Dallas. We care about our baseball here----half of Dallas didn't even know they had a basketball team before Cuban arrived. I have no clue what Cuban would do, if anything. I only know I've seen 25 years of Trib-owned Cubbie baseball, and looking back, they have come up short again & again & again. The era of the Trib has basically been painful, filled with losing and incompetence, and unfulfilling. I'm ready for a change. Hope it happens.
  10. Soul
    Good. I'll consider the game won and not worry about it! 8)
  11. Soul
    They do look impressive, don't they? BTW, thx for posting the run-downs each week. I really enjoy it. Saves me from scrolling through my guide a little bit---and I probably would have missed that Northwestern game tonight if you hadn't posted it (yes, it's sad.....I'm a NW fan).
  12. Soul
    Jaws and Salisbury will pick the Bears. All 6 of sportsline.com's guys have us not only winning, but beating the spread. http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/features/writers/expert/picks I'm in the minority on this one. I just see this game as a heck of a tough battle. I think we can win if we play well, but I am expecting a dogfight. Hey-----here's to me being wrong :wink:
  13. Soul
    That Ramirez thing is scary. Anyone know if he is leaning one way or the other? For all the criticism he's received, I just don't see how this team competes in '07 without his bat in the lineup---outside a massive overhaul with multiple top-FAs being acquired, which I don't think will happen.
  14. Soul
    Then they will need to replace both CF and RF. Doesn't matter, either way they needed to replace 2 guys out there, IMO.
  15. Soul
    Tribune management may borrow a ton of money to buy back all of its stock from the public. Then it won't have to worry about the stockholders' interests. To pay off all debt they would incur, they would have to sell pieces of the company to buyers who might pay a premium for strategic assets. The L.A. Times looks to be sold to some L.A. locals. The TV stations might go to a Viacom. If the Cubs could get a high price it would be something they would have to consider. Obviously, Tribune has to figure out what kind of company they want to run. Hopefully they decide to run the kind of company that sells the Cubs to an owner who cares about baseball.
  16. Soul
    exactly, it's a comfort. ...and a commentary. On the amazing lack of credibility among NFL "experts"
  17. Soul
    I'm experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I'm considering driving up to Minnesota this weekend for the game, thats how much I'm getting into this season. I dunno, I'm probably overconfident or just getting overexcited because of the crappy Cubs season, but these first 2 games the Bears looked like a special team. Say what you want about the teams that they've played, last year we would have played teams like this to a 17-10 score, this year we are blowing them out. Anyways, there are still groups of 2 tickets available at the Metrodome for a reasonable price ($46, which is cheaper then any ticket at soldier field), and I'm not sure if I'll be able to see the team in Chicago this season, so I might do it. Let's just see how they handle the next 2 weeks. It's not just the fact that we played a couple weak sisters. It's also other things. Teams will have film on our pass game & protections now. And the Vikes blitz, unlike the Lions. Plus, I'm still a little concerned that our run game hasn't gotten going, and our defense while very good has still given up too many yards. Everything looks good, but I'm not selling out until I see the Bears beat a team like Seattle. If they do that, then I'll go bazonkers :)
  18. Soul
    Really? I thought Quinn looked rattled and overmatched. Agree on Samardjia----he's not top 10 calibre, IMO. I think he could still be an effective NFL player though.
  19. Soul
    The bolded section is what I disagree with. I think they're a pretty average team, and I don't think they have any real "strength". The defense isn't particularly imposing, and neither is the offense. They manage to do things ok and hang around. Both the Vikings and Bears have played teams that are now 0-2. Minny barely beat both of the teams they played. My personal opinion is that the Vikings are overrated, as it seems they are many years. I don't know if they are overrated, I mean, they are underdogs at home. And nobody is going gaga over their start. But I agree with your assessment. I think they are a decent team. 9-7 caliber, but might win 10 thanks to the schedule. But they aren't great in any aspect of the game, while the best teams always seem to be great at something. I think we're talking semantics. To me a 9-7 or 10-6 ballclub is a pretty good team. I do think Minnesota has shown a top-notch running game---so if you're looking for something Minny would hang their hat on, I'd say that's it. Plus, their blitz packages have looked quite impressive, though I agree their defense shouldn't be considered great. We will definitely find out, because I'm quite sure the Bears are a very good team, so as much as this might be a test for us, it's damn well sure a test for Minny too.
  20. Soul
    Roy also tried to backtrack on his prediction, saying something to the effect of "I was 100% right, if we execute in all facets, we will win." So he's all wet. I liked how Tank called him out after the game. Got to wonder if anyone in the Lions locker room had anything to say to him.
  21. Soul
    They actually moved the ball well at times, but then the Bears would come up with a big play or a turnover. And it was completely clear the Bears were beating the Lions in the individual matchups, which lead to just a slew of Lions penalties. The Lions had a couple decent runs, and seemed to connect on quite a few 10-15 yard pass plays. But with the score the way it was so early, they were bound to give up yardage eventually. Rivera also said that they played more conservatively once they had the big lead... ...which brings up the Tillman play. Not that I'm complaining, but generally speaking Till would get his head around on that play and stop the pass. He had good position. I wonder what kind of ribbing, if any, he's getting for that. It did basically blow our shot at a double shutout----and I do know the defense keeps track of that stuff among themselves.
  22. Soul
    They actually moved the ball well at times, but then the Bears would come up with a big play or a turnover. And it was completely clear the Bears were beating the Lions in the individual matchups, which lead to just a slew of Lions penalties.
  23. Soul
    The line did indeed hit 9 at one point. Many prognosticators picked against the Bears because of that, including guys like Dan Hampton and Hub Arkush (although Hub loves to pick against the Bears since they dumped him). I never thought this would be such a drubbing. The Bears have impressed me beyond any expectations. I'm not going to get too excited yet though, until I see how this team handles some of the better opponents on the schedule. That starts next week with a tough road battle on turf in Minny, and continues with the home game vs. Seattle.
  24. Soul
    I don't want this to sound like I think the Bears will lose, because I do think this is a winnable game. But Minny is a pretty good team, and they are at home. We haven't beaten Minnesota in the Metrodome for a long time. The difference between Minnesota and our first two opponents is the line play. The Vikings are solid on both lines, as are the Bears. Brad Johnson gets criticized all the time----that's completely unfounded, he's a Super Bowl winning QB with a ton of experience and one of the sharpest minds in football. If the Bears can get pressure on him, we should be able to limit the output in the passing game. However, the Vikings are an excellent running team as well. This is no easy game, IMO. The Bears can win it, but it will take much more effort than the past two weeks.
  25. Soul
    There's definitely some of that going around. Charlie has tried to stop it, but to no avail. Quinn's on TV out of uniform more than I ever remember Leinart. Like you say, ND is not a championship contender, as was evidenced today by getting beat badly by a team that won't even win their conference (and might not even come in 2nd).
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